Istanbul's Maiden Tower temporarily closed for inspection

One of Istanbul's most popular tourist attractions, Maiden's Tower (Kiz Kulesi), located near the Marmara Sea entrance of the Bosphorus, will be temporarily closed to visitors from April 24 to April 30.

This closure is due to a series of control inspections scheduled by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

The General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums has advised that these essential checks are to ensure the structural integrity and safety of this historic site, which dates back to its initial construction by the Athenian general Alcibiades in 408 B.C.

The site's unique position on a small islet off the coast of Salacak requires regular maintenance to preserve its historical significance and visitor safety.

During this period, the tower will not be open to visitors. The closure will allow the ministry to conduct thorough examinations necessary for the structure's ongoing upkeep and safety.

For tourists currently in Istanbul or those planning imminent visits, alternative cultural and historical sites are open and available throughout the city. These include the Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and numerous museums that showcase Istanbul's rich history.

The Maiden's Tower is expected to reopen to the public on May 1, following the completion of the inspection works. Further updates and information can be followed through the official channels of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums.

The story of Istanbul's Maiden Tower

The story of the king’s daughter is one of the most captivating among the myriad of legends associated with the Maiden's Tower. In an attempt to thwart a dire prophecy that his daughter would die from a snake bite, a concerned king isolates her in the safety of the tower.

Ironically, the very fate he sought to avoid finds its way to her secluded refuge – a venomous snake hiding in a basket of fruit – fulfilling the prophecy through its deadly bite.

Another legend involves the gallant Battal Gazi, who conquers the tower, rescuing both its treasures and a princess, leaving behind a legacy that would inspire the Turkish phrase, "Ati alan Uskudar'i gecti," roughly translating to "what's done is done."

Tourists and literary enthusiasts may also find the Hellenistic romance of Hero and Leandros poignant, wherein Leandros swims across the strait nightly to meet his beloved Hero, who lives in the tower. Their story ends tragically when a storm extinguishes the tower’s guiding light, leading to Leandros’s drowning and Hero’s subsequent suicide.

Source: Newsroom